andrew I can remember when 12-13% CD rates were not unusual. ChrisG has it right, it's all about capital preservation in a buyers (credit) market.

As this thread has gotten completely off-track let me offer the benefit of my years to the younger posters here. - It is not what you make, it's how much you keep and how you invest it. My wife and I have never lived up to our incomes (early on very meager), we have always been savers and investors. That is not to say that we have not lived well because we have. We have always invested in real estate and have not had a mortgage or any debt at all in over 15 years, not unusual for those of my generation. The Crossfire not withstanding, be prudent with your income. If you could afford a Bentley and bought a Crossfire instead, congratualtions. If you bought a Crossfire (a totally impractical purchase) and should have bought a Civic, you may already understand what I mean. Buy Suzie Orman's Financial Library and study. Knowledge is wonderful, it's also power.

Now let's get back to where we store our music media in the totally impractical Crossfire....... :lol: